Author's Note: HI! Ok, so I am slowly writing this story because each day I come up with a new and different idea. I personally enjoyed writing this chapter…I hope you guys enjoy reading it.

Thank you so very much for all the reviews, favorites and followers! It keeps me motivated to continue writing this story. THANK YOU and enjoy chapter 11!:)

Chapter 11: When a Man Loves a Woman

Saturday November 5th, 2005

-Mom, Luke!...Grandparents are here!- Rory yelled from the living room as she was peeking through the window. It was Saturday, Luke was spending his morning playing golf with Richard at the club and Emily was staying home with Lorelai.

Luke and Lorelai came from upstairs: -You know honey? You can still say you don't want to play golf with my father, you don't have to.- Lorelai said knowing golf was not really Luke's thing. Rory rolled her eyes.

-Too late! They are already here.- Luke said in the most calmly way.

-Yes mom, grandma and grandpa are here and you agreed to spend this day with grandma.- Rory backed up Luke, Lorelai pouted.

-Be nice mom.- Rory said as she opened the door.

-Hi grandma! Hi grandpa!- Rory greeted her parents.

-Hi Rory- Richard said to his granddaughter and then turned over to Luke: -Luke, are you ready?- Luke nodded. He turned to Lorelai and kissed her goodbye and then he and Richard walked over to Richard's car and leave.

-So, are you joining us Rory?- Emily asked her granddaughter with a big smile on her face.

-Oh, I would really like to grandma, but I have to work part time today and then I told Lane I was going over to her place to catch up.- Rory said as she grabbed her coat that was hung up and her keys that were placed in the little table by the entryway.

-Well,- Emily turned over to Lorelai: -so it's only going to be you and I Lorelai.

-Yay!- Lorelai said with a smile on her face trying to sound excited.

-Goodbye grandma, goodbye mom! See you later!- Rory said as she walked out the door and leave the house. There was an awkward silence between Emily and Lorelai, until Lorelai finally said:

-Do you want to have breakfast mom?

-Breakfast sounds good, what are your cooking?- Emily asked her daughter as they were both heading to the kitchen.

-Do you like tarts?

-You know how to make tarts? Where did you learn to make that? Did Sookie teach you?- Emily was so surprised that her daughter could make such thing since she knew Lorelai's cooking skills were not that good.

Lorelai opened a cabinet and pulled out a box of pop tarts and smiled as she showed the box to her mother, Emily rolled her eyes.

-Come on mom, give them a try!- Lorelai said in a cheerful way.

Luke and Richard at the club…

After a few hours of playing golf, Richard and Luke were just walking around the club.

-Let me tell you Luke, I was surprised by your call this week.- Luke giggled.

-I know golf is not your thing son, so I really appreciate your effort.- Richard said with a smile on his face.

-Yeah, I also surprised myself by making that call to be honest sir.- Luke said a little nervous, Richard chuckled.

-Listen sir, there's something I want to talk to you about…- Richard was interested in what Luke had to say, he frowned, and they both stopped walking: -I want to marry Lorelai.- Luke finally said.

Richard's face changed completely; he was not mad, he was surprised. He didn't expect that from Luke since him and Lorelai did everything backwards, they got pregnant before getting married. He cleared his throat nervously and asked trying to be discreet: -Have you both talked about this before? You know, before getting pregnant.

Luke pressed his lips together: -We talked about this the day we found out Lorelai was pregnant.- He said, Richard nodded: -I see.- Disappointment could be seen through his eyes.

-Sir, we didn't talk about getting married just because we knew we were expecting.- Luke said what he knew Richard needed to know.

-So, may I ask, what did Lorelai say when you talked about getting married?

Luke sighed: -She told me she wanted to get married…- Richard was feeling confused. If Luke knew already Lorelai wanted to get married, why he didn't propose yet? Why was he talking about this with him? Richard cleared his throat:

-So, if you know what the answer's going to be son, why are talking this with me?- Richard asked trying to be and sound nice. Luke chuckled knowing Richard was going to say something like that, it was obvious.

-Sir, I know I am no Christopher; I know I am not the man you and your wife wanted for your daughter and I know I was not raised with the same privileges Lorelai was raised. But I do have education, and I know that when a man loves a woman and he wants to get married with her, the proper thing to do is to ask her father for her hand.

Richard was surprised. He always expected Lorelai and Luke to get married in secret and for his daughter to show up on a Friday night dinner and just drop the news to him and Emily.

-So, I am here to ask for Lorelai's hand sir, can I marry your daughter?

Richard was speechless, he didn't know what to say because he never expected this from Luke. He knew him so little, but he always seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn't do this old-fashioned kind of stuff.

-Sir, I really love your daughter and I wouldn't do this if I didn't love her enough because right now I am so surprised by myself. I never imagined I was going to do something like this, I never thought that I would have the guts to come over and ask for your daughter's hand. I've loved Lorelai since day one, since the first time she walked into the diner and she asked me for coffee...- Luke was starting to get nervous because Richard was not saying anything at all.

It was clear to Richard that Luke was really in love with his daughter. Not because of everything Luke had just said. He knew he love her because he was always there unconditionally for Lorelai. Rory's 16th birthday party, he was there; the Christmas dinner he had an angina, Luke drove Lorelai to the hospital; Rory's Chilton graduation; the night Rory dropped out of Yale and tried to steal a yacht and the night Lorelai went to emergency because of the baby, he was there, he was always there.

Richard turned over to face Luke, he gave him a tender smile with eyes full of tears: -You can marry my daughter son, you have my blessing…

At Stars Hollow…

After having breakfast, Lorelai and Emily watched T.V. for a while in the living room and then they both went to the town square to catch some fresh air and for a small walk. It was a nice autumn day, the sun was bright, the weather was warm, but the air was crisp and the leaves in the trees were colored in brown, orange and yellow. The town always looked so pretty this time of the year decorated with hay, orange lights, the fall festival advertising banners hung in the streetlights and pumpkins.

Emily and Lorelai sat to take a rest in the gazebo. Lorelai looked at her mother who was looking around at the town amazed by its beauty.

-Mom, can I ask you a question?- Lorelai interrupted her mother's moment.

-Don't ask nonsense Lorelai, of course you can ask me a question.- Emily replied looking at her daughter.

-Ok, but I don't want you to get mad because I don't want to start a fight mom. I am not asking this with any intention of argui…- Emily cut her daughter off: -Lorelai just ask what you were going to ask!- She was starting to get desperate.

-Ok!- Lorelai raised her voice cheerfully completely aware of what she was doing to piss her mom off: -I just never understood why you didn't approve my relationship with Luke when we started dating if you noticed he had feelings for me since the day you met him…- Lorelai paused and Emily stared at her daughter waiting for her question.

-Why mom? Why were you so surprised if you knew he had feelings for me and I once told you that I might have feelings for him too?- She finally asked. Emily took a deep breath and turned her gaze forward:

-I always hoped, for Rory's sake, things between you and Christopher would work out.- She felt exposed, vulnerable. She paused and started blinking quickly avoiding tears to come out of her eyes: -I am sure you now know this, but it is hard for a mother to see how her child makes a big mistake and I always felt you were doing one by not giving Christopher a chance.

Lorelai was so confused, she was frowning: -Mom, you have no idea how much time I waited for Christopher to man up and he never did. And the only time it looked like he was finally going to be there for me and Rory, he got Sherry pregnant and I don't know if you are going to believe this mom, but he really broke my heart.

Emily looked at her daughter into her deep beautiful blue eyes and with tears in her eyes she finally admitted: -I should have never told Christopher to show up and do what he did at our vows renewal party…- Lorelai tilted her head taking interest in what her mother was saying, she placed a hand on her mother's back and affectionately rubbed it: -How long did it take you to realized that what you did was wrong mom?- She asked calmly.

-Honestly Lorelai?- Emily asked feeling ashamed of herself, Lorelai nodded: -That Friday night dinner we had to drove you to the hospital.- Emily confessed to her daughter. Lorelai was surprised, there was a small moment of silence until she finally asked: -So not even when you drove all the way to Stars Hollow and you came into the diner to tell Luke to go back with me?- Her mom shook her head in denial, embarrassed. Lorelai raised her eyebrows and opened her eyes wide: -Wow…

-That was the right thing do at the moment that was going to make you come back to our Friday night dinners with Rory.- Emily confessed thinking she had nothing to lose if she was being completely honest with her daughter. Lorelai was not surprised by that confession; she knew her mother was capable of doing whatever she needed to do to get what she wanted.

Emily noticed her daughter was speechless by just looking at her: -I realized that night that Luke truly loves you Lorelai.

Lorelai chuckled: -You didn't realize that night mom…- Emily frowned and stared at her daughter who was now staring at the floor: -You realized he liked me and loved me since the first day you met him and I was so stupid and blind to accept it because I didn't want to lose him and his friendship.- Lorelai said and looked at her mom directly in the eyes with a smile on her face. Emily smiled back, she giggled and confessed: -I actually noticed he cared for you the night your dad had an angina and we had to go on emergency to the hospital and he drove you all the way to Hartford.

-The Christmas dinner I was not invited…- Lorelai remembered: -He made me a Santa burger that night because I told him I wanted something festive since I was not invited to your Christmas dinner.- Lorelai now confessed and looked at her mother who had a disgusted look in her face and she knew she was picturing the Santa burger on her head. She smiled: -He closed the diner early that night just to drove me to Hartford…- Lorelai kept remembering.

-Seriously Lorelai, you were both idiots.- Emily said sharply with no hesitation. Lorelai shrugged and laughed at her mother's words. Emily looked at her daughter who was now smiling and just staring at the people who were in the town square. There was a brief moment of silence.

-And now here we are…- Lorelai said taking her glance at her protruding stomach, she placed her hand on her belly and affectionately rubbed it: -Waiting for our little peanut to come into our crazy lives.- Emily stared at her daughter's hand and then took her eyes to Lorelai's face: -May I now ask you one question Lorelai?- Emily said.

-You already asked one mom.- Lorelai teased her mother and Emily rolled her eyes: -Was this baby planned? Because once again, you got pregnant out of wedlock.- She couldn't let go her chance to ask this question to her daughter now that they were both having a moment, a nice conversation, something that was so rare in their mother-daughter relationship. Lorelai sighed and took her gaze to her mother's eyes: -It was not planned mom.

Emily nodded: -Just what I thought.

There was a moment of silence, Lorelai didn't want to overshare with her mother, but she all of a sudden decided she wanted to: -The night of the magazine party, Luke and I talked about having kids.- She confessed and her mother's temple changed completely. She was interested in listening to her daughter's story: -Luke confessed me he wanted to buy the Twickham house because he wanted kids.- She paused and smiled: -Something that surprised me because he always seemed like the non-family type of guy to me.

-What Twickham house? He didn't buy the house right?- Emily asked and Lorelai shook her head:

-He didn't buy the house because I told him that right now was not the right time for us to have kids.- She looked at her mother who seemed like she was about to start fighting her and quickly continued talking: -I told him that we should wait until Rory graduated from Yale, because we were just starting our relationship after 8 years of being…-

-Completely idiots.- Emily cut her daughter off. Lorelai nodded, smiled and said: -Friends, after 8 years of just being friends mom, but thank you for pointing out, once again, the fact that we were both idiots.- Lorelai said cheerfully and her mom smiled.

-We were both doing, still are, great at our jobs, we were just enjoying our time and lives together.- Lorelai concluded. Emily looked mischievously at her daughter and asked: -And?

Lorelai's eyes met her mother's, she giggled: -And what mom?- She asked knowing exactly what her mother wanted to know, but still acting like she didn't know at all.

-What happened? I mean, you clearly didn't wait for Rory to graduate from Yale.- Emily said.

-Ok mom, when you asked: "May I now ask you one question Lorelai?", I thought it was only one question, but now you are asking another one, which makes two questions.- Lorelai said in a playful way. Emily rolled her eyes: -Lorelai, seriously…- She answered to her daughter.

Lorelai chuckled: -Ok, ok! Well, things got a little loopy that night, all roads were blocked, and we forgot to use protection mom, and this…- She stroked her stomach: -happened.

Emily nodded, there was a brief moment of silence until Emily dared to ask: -Have you talked about marriage?

Lorelai knew her mother wouldn't let go the chance to ask her this question, still she opened her mouth surprised and said: -How did one question turn into three?

With a straight look in her face, Emily demanded: -Lorelai, you are not answering my question…

Lorelai rolled her eyes, she took a deep breath and said: -Yes mom, we talked once about marriage. And before you ask question number four, we talked about it when we found out I was pregnant and before you ask question number five, we decided we didn't want to get married just because we were having a baby.

Emily rolled her eyes and Lorelai knew exactly what her mother was thinking: "Great, she's throwing away her relationship with Luke just like she did with Christopher".

She turned to face her mother and in a very soothing tone of voice she said: -Mom, Luke is not like Christopher.- She paused for a couple of seconds: -Luke is not leaving me at the first chance he has just because I told him I didn't want us to get married just because I am pregnant, like Christopher did.

Emily smirked trying not to argue with her daughter, she knew Luke was not like Christopher but she couldn't help to feel fear of her daughter making a big mistake: -What makes you think this time will be different?- She asked her daughter.

Lorelai internally fought her urge to fight her mother, she sighed and said: -First of all, I am not sixteen anymore, - She pointed out what it was obvious: -and Luke really loves me mom and I also love him.- She paused and continued to explain her mother what she knew made no sense to her: -When I was sixteen and I was with Christopher, I was the one who didn't want to get married and this time it's different because we both want to get married, there's no one doubting, we just want to wait until the timing feels right.

Emily pressed her lips and smiled. Lorelai looked at her mother and saw she was not fully convinced about what she and Luke were doing, she smiled and said: -I kind of proposed to Luke mom.

Full of panic and shocked, Emily looked at her daughter: -Oh my God Lorelai! Please tell me this is one of your sick jokes.- Emily pleaded.

Lorelai giggled and said: -It's not a joke mom.- Emily looked at her daughter in disapproval: -Rory came into the diner one night and she talked to Luke. She told him that she was going to trial on June 3rd and he of course told me, and my instant reaction was to tell him that we should get married on that day.

Emily was in shock because a woman proposing to a man was not something a proper lady would do, but she was also starting to get mad at her daughter because she didn't know what was behind of her absence the day Rory went to trial. She knew she was mad at Rory, and she understood that was the main reason she didn't go to Rory's trial and she respected that, but getting married?

-And what stopped you Lorelai? If marriage is something you and Luke really want, as you said, I can't understand why you didn't get married on June 3rd.- Emily said arrogantly.

-Luke stopped me mom.- Lorelai said, knowing what she was about to say and feeling confident this was the only way she was going to make her mom finally understand why Christopher and Luke were completely different.

-What are you saying? It makes no sense to me that Luke stopped you if you said earlier that marriage is something you both want and June 3rd, the date your daughter went to trial, seemed like the perfect chance Lorelai.- Emily raised her voice.

Lorelai with a small smile on her face, expecting this reaction from her mother, calmly explained: -He stopped me because he knew I really didn't want to get married without Rory being there.

Emily's face changed completely when she heard those words and she finally understood why Luke and Christopher were not the same. She smiled feeling a little ashamed of her reaction and complained: -You really take pleasure on making this things just to make me mad.- She nodded.

Lorelai chuckled and moved feeling a little bit uncomfortable, Emily noticed, and asked feeling concerned: -Is something wrong?

Lorelai shook her head in denial, she pressed her hand on the top of her stomach and gingerly rubbed it taking her hand to the lower part of her round belly and rested her hand there: -I just really need to pee and Daniel is kicking my bladder.- She said trying to get herself comfortable.

Emily stood up: -Here, let me help you. We should really get going back to your house, I bet your father and Luke will be there any moment.- She said as she helped her daughter stand up.

They both walked to Mrs. Kim Antique Store to see if Lorelai could use her bathroom.

Later at night...

When Luke and Richard came back from the club the ladies were already at home. Richard and Emily left to Hartford immediately because they needed to get ready for a dinner they had at the Clermont's house that night. Luke went to the diner since he was gone the whole morning and he wanted to check how things were. He let Caesar leave early that day, he closed the diner and took a piece of apple pie for Lorelai who called earlier to request one since they had vanilla ice cream at home.

Luke was feeling so relieved he now had Richard's blessing to marry Lorelai, although he didn't know yet when and how to propose. On his way home he thought about this, he really wanted it to be special. He sighed, he got out of his truck, walked into the house and left the slice of apple pie at the kitchen.

He rushed to go upstairs: -Lorelai…- He said once he reached their bedroom. He pushed the door that was slightly closed and saw Lorelai was not in their bed but saw the light on their bathroom was turned on. He let himself in: -Lorelai…- He said again as he walked inside their bedroom.

-In the bathroom!- She yelled. Luke walked to the bathroom, he knocked the door: -Are you ok?- He asked remembering those nights of morning sickness in her early pregnancy. He pushed the door as he let himself in: -I am fine.- Lorelai answered as she was staring at her figure in the mirror with a smile on her face. She was in her maternity bra and panties, wearing one of Luke's plaid flannel shirt and her curly hair pinned up in a messy ponytail. When she saw Luke was coming in she began to button his shirt she was now wearing. Luke grinned completely aware of what she was doing right before he came into the bathroom, he walked towards her and stood behind her.

He gently pushed Lorelai's hands down not allowing her to keep buttoning the shirt, he nuzzled with his nose Lorelai's neck inhaling her floral scent. Lorelai smiled delighted by the tender touch of Luke's nose in her neck and she lower her head as she felt Luke's right hand across her big round belly.

He unbuttoned with his left hand the few buttons she managed to fasten and with both hands he opened further the shirt leaving completely exposed and bare Lorelai's stomach. Luke placed his big hands on top of her bulging belly and she closed her eyes pleased as she felt how he softly ran his hands massaging her stretched skin to the lower sides of her stomach.

Lorelai turned her head over to Luke's head seeking for his lips, but he started kissing her long neck before she could kiss him on the lips.

-How…is…he?- Luke whispered between kisses.

-Bigger.- Lorelai said grinning, tilting her head, leaving more space on her neck for Luke to kiss as she closed her eyes pleased by his kisses and touch. He kept smoothly massaging her big stomach: How…are…you?- Luke whispered as he slowly moved to kiss her right cheek. She turned her head and gaze to the mirror that was in front of them and she placed her right hand above Luke's right hand as he continued to massage her belly and said: -Bigger.- Lorelai giggled.

Luke grinned, he wrapped his arms around her hugging her as he stopped the kissing and he turned his head and gaze forward, slightly placing his chin on Lorelai's right shoulder. Their eyes met as they both stared at their reflection in the mirror: -You look beautiful.- Luke said with a tender smile on his face.

Lorelai turned over to face Luke, her large stomach bumping into his hips, they both shared laughs. He placed his hands on her lower back and she leaned forward, her hands gripping tightly to his flannel shirt for support. She kissed him long and tenderly on his lips and he kissed her back as he slowly massaged her aching back.

-I missed you today…- Luke whispered once she stopped kissing him and he placed his right hand on the right side of her neck as he smoothly stroked the skin underneath her ear. Their faces were so close, they could feel each other's breath, she moved her hands to his nape and massaged his hair as her lips lightly kissed his.

Their foreheads met each other: -I missed you too…- She said tenderly grinning and then she looked down at her growing stomach: -He missed you too…- She whispered pointing at her bare belly with the fingers of her right hand open. Luke smiled and he gently moved his hands to the lower sides of her bulging stomach, letting them mold to the roundness of her belly.

-What did he say?- He asked.

-You are asking me what he said?- Lorelai claimed in a teasing way: -I only get to feel him! You are the one who gets to hear him and have these super deep conversations with him…- She said slapping him playfully in his right arm.

-Ouch!- Luke laughed a little as he stroked his right arm with his left hand. He looked at those beautiful blue eyes that he loved so dearly for a couple of seconds and then he went down on his knees. Lorelai knew what he was about to do, she smiled, took a deep breath and took her gaze downwards. She loved every time he did that. Luke placed both hands on her big, round and exposed stomach. Lorelai rested her hands on top of his head, softly caressing his hair.

-Hey buddy…- Luke said in his normal tone of voice as he soothingly rubbed his thumbs on her smooth tummy: -So…mommy said you missed me today...- He whispered, and he tenderly placed a kiss on her popped belly button. Lorelai giggled in response, he smiled by the sound of her laugh and shifted his eyes upwards to look at hers.

-Honestly?...- Luke said taking back his eyes to her belly: -I missed you too son…- Luke smiled and a few seconds later he felt a swiftly move underneath his hands. He chuckled, delighted by the sensation of his son active inside her: -That's my boy!- He said to himself in a cheerful way and then kissed Lorelai's tummy, who was smiling feeling pleased and grateful by this moment.

He changed positions trying to get more comfortable. He extended his right leg in front of him kneeling only on his left knee, he placed his left hand on Lorelai's lower back for support and he left his right hand on her stomach: -How was your day buddy? What did you do today?- He whispered to Lorelai's growing belly.

-Besides play soccer with my bladder…- Lorelai answered in a mockery way. Luke took his eyes to hers for a couple of seconds and then raised his eyebrows in a shocking impression taking his gaze back to her tummy: -Daniel…is that true?- He said in a scolding way and then pressed his left ear to Lorelai's stomach and frowned trying to hear something.

-What did he said?- Lorelai asked in a cheerful way. Luke took his eyes to hers and answered quickly: -He said he is so sorry…- And he pressed back his ear to her stomach: -There's more?- She asked.

-Shhhh! Lorelai please don't interrupt him when he's trying to communicate with me!- Luke said turning his head over to face Lorelai and he, once again, pressed his ear to her protruding belly.

-Jeez! I am sorry!- Lorelai said sarcastically opening her eyes and taking her left hand to her chest.

After a few seconds Luke nodded: -Ok, I will tell her that! Let's hope she understands buddy.- Luke lightly kissed her belly button and stood up.

-Tell me what?- Lorelai asked desperately.

-He said he is now officially 27 weeks old and he is indeed getting bigger and space down there…- He pointed down to her belly with one of his fingers: -is getting smaller, so he unintentionally kicked your bladder.- Lorelai laughed.

-He feels very sorry, if that makes you feel any better.- Luke said in a very serious tone of voice. Lorelai smiled touched by how serious Luke was taking this, she leaned forward, placing her right hand on his chest for support and she kissed him gently on his lips.

Once the kiss was over, Luke kneeled on his right knee, he pressed his left hand on her stomach and whispered: -Buddy, your mommy here said it's ok, she understands.- He frowned and sticked his right ear to her belly. She placed her right hand below her round stomach and with her left hand she was tenderly stroking Luke's nape hair.

Luke nodded once again and stood up: -Wow! 27 weeks and we already know he loves to talk just as much as his mommy…- Lorelai said in a teasing tone of voice.

-He wants to know if he's still getting his slice of apple pie and vanilla ice cream?- Luke asked seriously. Lorelai chuckled, she pressed her left hand on his chest and lightly kissed him on his lips once again. Luke smiled delighted, he knelt on both knees and he placed his right hand on her belly: -Buddy, apparently yes…- He paused: -You are getting apple pie with vanilla ice cream…- He rubbed his thumb on Lorelai's belly button: -Although I think this whole apple pie thing is just a whim of your…- He stopped when he met Lorelai's intimidating stare.

-Never mind.- Luke said to himself and then stood up. Lorelai was smiling, Luke pulled her now curvy body towards his, he placed his hands below Lorelai's stomach, letting them mold to the roundness of her abdomen, and he tenderly gave her a long passionate kiss.

-Luke…- Lorelai whispered once they stopped kissing: -It is not a whim! Everybody knows vanilla ice cream and apple pie make the perfect combo.- She protested smiling at him. Luke laughed and then took his gaze down to Lorelai's belly as he felt his son moved. Lorelai looked down at her baby bump, grinning as she softly rubbed her exposed, bare stomach with both hands.

-I think he agrees with you.- Luke said. He smirked, stepped back and walked towards the bathroom door. As he walked out, he held from the door frame with his right hand: -I am going downstairs, to the kitchen to warm up your slice of apple pie.- He said.

-Ok, see you downstairs in a couple of minutes.- Lorelai said turning her head over her right shoulder to see Luke. She smiled at him, he smiled back and then left. She took her gaze back to the mirror, she gave one step forward and tilting her head to the left she admired one more time, her curvy figure on the mirror. She gingerly massaged her stomach, she was in awe with her body, loving this whole experience and thinking how lucky she was to share this pregnancy with Luke.

She slowly buttoned the flannel shirt she was wearing, she walked towards the door, turned off the light and walked out of the bathroom.